Inclined reciprocating vegetable cutter



March 20, 1951 H. R. RANSOM 2,545,557

INCLINED RECIPROCATING VEGETABLE CUTTER Filed Nov. 22, 1946 INVENTOR. Add 22 mmm.

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Patented Mar. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 2,545,557 V motmnn RECIPROCATING VEGETABLE ou'rcrnn Harland R. Ransom, Detroit, Mich.

Application November 22, 1946, Serial No. 711,725

disengaged from the main body of the device during normal use or operation of the same.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a slicer which includes means for readily releasing the slide from the body for cleaning, repair or replacement. 7

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a slicer having provision for protecting the fingers of the user from the slicing knife during operation of the device.

A further object of the invention-is to provide a slicer of the above-mentioned character that is simple in construction, efficient in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawingforming a part of this specification and wherein-like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing the front' and one side of a slicer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of prising a part of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the back and one side of the device and particularly ilthe slide comlustrating the manner in which the slide as-' sembly is removed from the body;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. :2 and further illustrating the manner in which the slide is associated with the body;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a modified slide assembly; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken :on the line 'l-'| of Fig. 6.

The slicer comprises a body H1 having" atop l2, a front M, a bottom 16, and parallel sides it. In the form of the invention here shown, the

6 Claims. (Cl. 146-152) body It made of sheet metal, and the top 12, bottom It, and sides l8 are formed integrally with the front it so that the entire body can be blanked in one piece and then bent into shape by conventional stamping and forming operations; The top l2 is generally V-shaped to provide a trough which cradles and retains the fruit or vegetable to be sliced, and, as best shown in Fig. l, the trough extends entirely across the body from front to back. .Also, it will be observed that the apex of the trough is disposed closerto one side of the body than the other, so that one wall is relatively steep and forms an abutment against which the object being sliced canbe firmly held during operation of the device.

Apertured lugs 20 on the sides l8 extend outwardly, substantially flush with the bottom I6,

and provide means for anchoring the slicer solidly on a counter or other suitable supportingsurface.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the sides [8 extend rearwardly beyond the top 12, and the projecting portions thereof are suitably fashioned to define inwardly opening, generally vertical, parallel and opposed grooves or guideways 22. Arranged between the projecting portions of sides i3 is a slide 24 which also preferably is made of sheet metal, and the side margins of the slide are rolled to form guides 26 which snugly fit and are confined in guideways 22. At its upper edge the slide 24 is rolled'to provide .a hand grip 2-8 which is conveniently located for use in operating the slide. A central opening Ell] is formed in the slide 24, and a slicing knife 32 is arranged angularly across the opening, which knife is fastened on the forward face of the slide by screws 34. Preferably the upper edge 36 of opening 38 extends obliquely across the slide 24 parallel to knife '32.

When slide 24 is reciprocated in guideways 22, the knife 32 moves across the adjacent edge of the top l2, and it will be observed that the guideways are positioned immediately adjacent to the I top so that the knife slides against or in proximity thereto. Also, the slide 2t has suflicient stroke so that "when it is raised and a vegetable or the like is thrust against the inner or forward face thereof, the knife 32 is disposed above the vegeta-ble. Thus, when slide 24 is'loweredthe knife moreover, the slicing action produces a-cleaner out than if the cutting edge of the knife merely 3 extended transversely or horizontally across the slide.

In order to regulate the thickness of slice cut from the vegetable or the like, slide 24 is formed immediately below the opening 30 with a rearwardly extruded portion 38 which defines a recess 40 in the forward face thereof, and a vertical stop board 42 is mounted for horizontal adjustment in the recess. As best shown in Fig. 5, the stop board 32 carries a single, centrally located screw 44 which extends rearwardly through the offset portion 38, and a wing nut 46 is pro vided on the projecting end of the screw for adjusting the board against resilient action of compressor springs 43 at opposite sides of the screw. Two springs 48 are provided at each side of the screw 44, and it will be observed that they are confined between the laterally offset portion 38 and stop board 42. In order to hold springs 48 normally in place, the confining members are formed with inwardly extending, extruded nipples 50, which nipples can be formed easily and inexpensively by conventional stamping operations. Since springs 48 are normally under tension, the nipples 50 are efiicacious to retain the seated ends thereof. By reason of the fact that the same number of springs 48 are located at opposit sides of the screw 44 and since the two setsof springs are arranged equidistantly from the screw, each set of springs automatically counteracts the other, and they collectively hold the stop board 42 exactly parallel with the front fac of slide 24 in all adjusted positions of the board. Also, this novel arrangement permits the stop board 42 to be adjusted by a single actuator means. This latter factor alone is of considerable importance, since the device is adapted for use primarily by housewives, domestic help, and other persons who possess little mechanical aptitude. In operation, the vegetable is pushed against stop board 42 by a wooden member 5| or the like with the slide 24 in fully raised position and held in this position while the slide 24 is pushed downwardly.

Since the vegetable is solidly supported on the top l2 and since the stop board 42 is disposed below and behind the knife 32, the latter removes a slice from the vegetable as the slide moves downwardly. Also, since stop board 42 is moved horizontally relative to knife 32 by tightening or loosening the wing nut 46, the thickness of slice can be readily controlled by the latter. Manifestly, the slice is formed behind knife 32, and, when it is completely severed from the vegetable, it falls onto the counter or other supporting surface behind the device. In order to prevent the slice from falling into the body it, the rear portion of bottom 16 is rolled upwardly and inwardly, as at 52, and the stop board 42 is formed with a rearwardly and downwardly extending apron 54 which overhangs the upturned portion of the bottom. Thus, when the slice falls downwardly, it is deflected by apron 54 and portion 52 onto the counter.

A primary problem in this art is to associate the slide 24 with the body Ill in such manner that it cannot be inadvertently pulled free during use, but at the same time can be easily removed for cleaning. According to the present invention, this result is achieved in a novel and relatively simple manner by providing each of the guideways 22 with a relatively smaller groove 55 and forming the guidzs 26 with flattened terminal surfaces 58, which surfaces have centrally located, laterally extending studs 60 arranged to grip 6B.

travel in the grooves. In practice, the flattened terminal surfaces 58 should be recessed sufficiently so that they clear guideways 22. Grooves 56 can be formed easily and quickly at the same time the guideways 22 are formed, and it will be observed that they extend from slightly below the guideways to points adjacent the upper edges of sides [8, at which points they extend laterally through the rearward edges of the sides.

Thus during normal operation of the device, guides 26 travel up and down in the guideways 22 and hold theslide 24 associated with the body [0, and it will be readily apparent that the studs 60 abut the rearwardly curved portions of grooves 56 to limit upward rectilinear travel of the slide. Thus, grooves 56 and studs 65 limit the travel of slide 24 so that the slide 24 cannot be pulled inadvertently from guideways 22. However, when slide 24 is fully raised, the flattened terminal surfaces 58 extend above the upper edges of sides [8 so that the guides 26 are released by guideways 22. Since the recessed flattened surfaces 58 clear guideways 22, the slide 24 can be moved horizontally toward the rear of the device and during such travel studs 66,

traverse the lateral portions of grooves 56. In

practice, however, this latter operation is mostreadily accomplished by pivoting the slide from th full-line to substantially the dotted-line position in Fig. 4 and then pulling it rearwardly by the hand grid 28. Preferably, the upper rear corners of sides It are rounded, as at 62, to provide the necessary clearance between th sides and guides 26 when the slide is pivoted from one position to the other. Manifestly, the above operations are reversed to reassemble slide 24 on the body Ill.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 6 and 7 which show a modified and somewhat simpler slide assembly which fits the body !9 and operates therein in the same manner as the form hereinabove described. The modified slide 64, which also preferably is formed from a single piece of sheet metal, has rolled side margins which form guides 66 and a rolled top margin which forms a hand Also, the lower terminal portions of guides 66 are flattened, as at 10, and the terminal portions are formed with laterally extending studs 12. In this form of the invention, a slicing knife 14 is fastened on the front of slide 54 by a pair of laterally spaced screws 76 which extend rearwardly through the slide and carry wing nuts 18 on the projecting portions thereof. Compression springs .86 interposed between the slide,

64 and slicing knife 74 laterally of but adjacent to the screws 16 normally urge the knife away from the slide and if they are maintained under equal tension, by their counteracting resilient action automatically hold the knife parallel to the slide. Manifestly, the wing nuts 78 can be tightened or loosened to adjust the knife M, and reaction of the springs 86 against the knife holds the latter in the selected adjusted position. Also, as best shown in Fig. 7, the slide 84 and knife 14 are formed with inwardly extending nipples 32 which retain the seated ends of the springs 65 in the manner and for the purpose described in connection with the first form of the invention.

Insofar as its general use and mode of operation is concerned, the slide assembly 64 is identical to the slide assembly first described. However, in this form of the invention the slices do not pass through the slide; instead, they dropj amass? away from the knife and into the easy II] where they accumulate until removed. Consequently,

when usingthe modified slide assembly, it may be desirable to eliminate the bottom it or to provide a sliding bottom to facilitate and expedite removal of the slices.

Although I hav'e'here shown the slides '24 and 6 2 equipped with a slicing knife it will be readily apparent that any equivalent cutter means can be substituted'forth'e knife or, if desired, tli'e cutter meanscanternade' as an integral part of the sheet metal plate which forms the slide itself. For example, it is contemplated that cutter means equipped with a thin wire be substituted for knives 32 and 14 if it is desired to use the device for slicing cheese or the like. Similarly, cutter means of suitable size and in the form of a conventional shredder or grater can be substituted for knives 32 and 14. It is further contemplated that the various cutter means be made as separate units which are interchangeable on slides 24 and 64. Thus, one cutter means can be substituted for another merely by loosening and tightening screws 34. This operation is simple and easily accomplished with conventional tools and by persons possessing little mechanical aptitude. Alternatively, each of the cutter means can be mounted on a separate slide whereby the entire slide assembly can be substituted when it is desired to adapt the device for a different type of cutting operation. The latter procedure is preferred or even necessary under certain conditions as when the slide itself is formed to provide grating or shredding elements.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or studs on said slide which travel in said grooves for normally preventing withdrawal of the latter directly from the guideway, said grooves having angularly disposed terminal portions through which the studs pass when the slide is disengaged from the body. 7

2. A vegetable slicer comprising a body having sides and confronting parallel guideways in said sides; a reciprocable slide disposed between said sides with opposite edges thereof confined in said guideways; and cutter means on said slide and movable across an adjacent edge of the body; said sides also formed with grooves which open into and extend along the guideways from one end thereof to a point adjacent to the other end thereof, said grooves provided at the last-mentioned ends with lateral extensions which open through adjacent edges of the sides, the confined edges of said slide formed with flat terminal portions and laterally projecting studs on said portions, which studs are arranged to travel in said grooves and adapted to prevent the slide from being pulled directly from" the guideways, the parts so constructed and arranged that said flat terminal portions are out of and released by said guideways when the studs are in register with the later-a1 e'xtensionswhereby to releasesaid slide from the guideways for-movement along said lateral extensions.

3. A vegetable slicer comprising a body having sides and confronting parallel guideways in said sides, a reciprocable slide disposed between said sides with opposite edges thereof confined in said guideways; and cutter means on said slide and movable across-an adjacent edge of the body; said guideways provided with relatively smaller grooves and said grooves provided adjacent the upper edges of said sides with angularly disposed lateral extensions which open through vertical edges of the sides, the confined edges of said slide formed with fiat terminal portions and laterally projecting studs on said portions, which studs travel in said grooves and prevent the slide from being pulled directly from the guideways, the parts so constructed and arranged that said flat terminal portions are spaced inwardly from the sides and are released from the guideways when the studs are in register with the lateral extensions of the grooves whereby to release said slide from the guideways.

4. A vegetable slicer comprising a body having a generally V-shaped top surface and side walls which extend laterally of said top surface, pro jecting portions of said sides having confronting parallel guideways and said guideways provided with grooves which extend for a limited distance therealong to points adjacent to corresponding ends of said guideways and from said points laterally through adjacent edges of the sides; a reciprocable slide disposed between said sides and with opposite edges thereof confined in said guideways, the confined edges of said slide formed with recessed terminal surfaces which clear said guideways and provided with studs on said terminal surfaces which travel in said grooves; and cutter means on said slide.

5. A vegetable slicer comprising a sheet metal body having a top, and sides which extend laterally of said top, said sides having vertical parallel guideways and said guideways provided with grooves which have lateral extensions adjacent to corresponding ends of said guideways; a slide disposed between said sides, said slide having rolled vertical edges which define guides and said guides mounted for sliding movement in said guideways, the lower terminal portions of said guides being recessed sufficiently to clear said guideways and said recessed portions formed with laterally extending studs which travel in said grooves; and cutter means on said slide.

6. A vegetable slicer comprisinga body having sides and confronting parallel guideways in said sides; a reciprocable slide of sheet metal disposed between said sides with opposite edges thereof confined in said guideways, said slide having an opening and formed immediately below said opening with a laterally extruded portion which defines a recess facing said body; a slicing element carried by said slide and arranged diagonally across the opening above said recess; a stop board adjustably mounted in said recess; normally tensioned springs disposed within said recess and adjacent opposite ends of the stop board, said springs confined between the stop board and the slide and reacting against said stop board to urge it in the direction of said body; extruded nipples on said slide and stop board projecting into said recess and located to enter said springs whereby to hold the latter positioned properly in the recess; and a single actuator means disposed between said springs for moving said stop board against the action of the springs and relative to said slicing element to regulate the thickness of the slice cut by the element.

HARLAND R. RANSOM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Slocum Mar. 21, 1876 Knapp Dec. 2, 1879 Bostrom Nov. 19, 1889 Crouch et a1 Feb. 16, 1909 Sunden Jan. 29, 1918 Ashenfelter Sept. 28, 1920 Rogalewski Dec. 12, 1933 Prickett Jan. 15, 1935 

